Astana Open an ATP 250 event will be held in Kazakhstan for the first time

The Tennis Federation of Kazakhstan received the right to host one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world under the auspices of the Association of Tennis Professionals ATP 250 "Astana Open" in Nur-Sultan with a prize fund of $ 275,000.

The tournament will be held from October 25 to November 1, 2020 and will bring together more than 60 participants in the world's TOP-100. The world's strongest tennis players have already confirmed their participation - Benoit Paire (26), Adrian Mannarino (39), John Millman (43) and others. Alexander Bublik (49), Mikhail Kukushkin (88) and Dmitry Popko (171) will represent the Kazakhstan national tennis team.

“The work of the Tennis Federation was highly appreciated by the ATP, as evidenced by the choice of the Kazakh capital as a venue for the tournament. This is definitely a challenge for us, but we are confident that the tournament will be held at the highest level. All the required conditions are available,” said the President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, Bulat Utemuratov.

The ATP 250 World Tour includes 40 professional men's tours a year. However, this season, due to the pandemic, it only has 17. The tournament in Nur-Sultan, in fact, closes the season and gives tennis players the last opportunity this year to get 250 points in the ATP ranking.

Given the increased hygiene safety measures during the tournament, the games will be held without the admission of spectators and within the framework of a strict protocol.

"In order to ensure maximum safety of the players the hosts of "Astana Open" have provided for a number of restrictive measures. The site of the National Tennis Center will be equipped with special mobile laboratories for PCR diagnostics and thermal scanners, strict routes have been developed to exclude unwanted contacts between players, hosts and staff," said Yuriy Polskiy, Vice President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation.

“All our matches will be available online. Our International partner, IMG, will broadcast in all key regions of the world. The rights for exclusive broadcasting in Kazakhstan were granted to QAZSPORT broadcasting company. Preparations are going well, we are looking forward to a great event”, - said Attila Richter, Tournament Director.

In addition, a virtual media hub will operate on the site of the National Tennis Center, which will provide wide access for the Kazakh and international media to the press conferences, exclusive player interviews and other activities of tennis players provided for within the Tournament.

“It is especially pleasing that the tournament will be held on home courts, which, it must be admitted, are in no way inferior to the best world's courts,” - Kazakhstan's No.1  Alexander Bublik shared his impressions.

Kazakhstan Tennis Federation annually holds up to 50 international tournaments, including the President's Cup and the Davis Cup.